Lemon Curd
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This Lemon Curd recipe is super-easy to make on the stovetop, it’s full of bright flavor, and it is perfect for cakes, cupcakes, crepes, spread on bagels and more!
Happy Thursday! We are plowing right through spring with delicious lemon cupcakes and lemon blueberry bundt cake. I’m just all over the lemon flavor these days.
Remember this lemon cream cheese frosting?
I mean, I just can’t get enough of this bright, cheerful addition to spring desserts. I also love other citrus flavors around this time of year, especially lime pie! But, today is all about lemon once again.
The weather is still wishy-washy. It can’t decide if it wants to rain or shine, be warm or cool. It just doesn’t know so I’m bringing my own sunshine in the form of lemon curd.
My favorite lemon curd recipe
I have yet to share a lemon curd recipe with you because I was waiting for THE ONE. The one with the perfect balance between sweet and tart. And the one that is practically no-fail.
Just like my pineapple curd, this lemon curd gets cooked directly in the pot. This makes the process super easy.
It’s so simple and is guaranteed to be a win for all your dessert needs. Heck, it’s even great as a spread on toast, English muffins, or bagels. Lemon curd for breakfast? I’ll take it!
What is lemon curd
Lemon curd is just like the filling in a lemon meringue pie. It’s tangy, sour, sweet, and creamy. This makes it perfect when paired with richer or sweeter elements like meringue.
This recipe is one of the most basic of lemon curds. It calls for cornstarch and butter. While neither is essential, the butter softens the lemon’s sharp acidity and the cornstarch ensures the curd will thicken.
How to make lemon curd
To make lemon curd, just follow these simple steps:
Combine Ingredients: Add all the ingredients, minus the butter, to a stainless steel, heavy bottom pot. Give it a good whisk to combine it all. I like to use my handheld electric mixer here to make sure everything is well combined.
Cook: Cook over medium heat and stir continuously as the curd cooks. It will start to thicken after about seven minutes.
Add The Butter: Once the curd has thickened to the consistency of pudding, remove it from the heat and stir in the butter.
Strain The Curd: Because the curd isn’t cooked in a double boiler, it’s possible you will end up with bits of scrambled egg. This is perfectly okay. Just strain the curd through a fine-mesh sieve to remove those unwanted egg pieces.
Cover and Refrigerate: Transfer the lemon curd to a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Make sure the plastic wrap is pressed right against the top of the curd to prevent a skin from forming on the surface. Refrigerate for two hours then serve.
Lemon curd uses
The options here are endless. I love using lemon curd in:
Lemon curd will keep for up to one week stored in the refrigerator. Use it to fill buttery jam biscuits or spread it over your English muffins.
Enjoy!
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Lemon Curd
This Lemon Curd recipe is super-easy to make on the stovetop, it’s full of bright flavor, and it is perfect for cakes, cupcakes, crepes, spread on bagels and more!
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest, about 1 lemon
- ⅔ cup (160 ml) fresh lemon juice, from about 2 lemons
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch, optional - SEE NOTE 1
- 2 tablespoons (tablespoons) unsalted butter, optional - SEE NOTE 2
Instructions
- Add the eggs, egg yolks, lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar, and cornstarch in a large bowl. Whisk together until well combined and cornstarch is fully dissolved.
- Pour into a medium saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until thickened; about 7-10 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the curd coats the back of the spoon and is about the thickness of pudding.
- When the curd has thickened, immediately remove it from the heat and stir in the butter.
- Run the curd through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any bits of scrambled egg and transfer to a small bowl.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap making sure the wrap is touching the surface of the curd to prevent a skin from forming.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until set before serving.
Notes
- The cornstarch and butter are completely optional! Cornstarch is used to ensure the curd thickens properly but it's absolutely not necessary. It will thicken without it.
- Butter helps cut the acidity from the lemon juice as well as keep the curd soft and spreadable.
Make ahead tip
- The curd can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 82Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 60mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 4g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the values shown are just an estimate.
The lemon juice, is it diluted of the whole 160 ml is taken from the lemon?
Do not dilute the lemon juice. You need a full 160ml of pure fresh lemon juice.
Can I use a double broiler method? Glass bowl and boiling water, or will it not get hot enough?
Yes, you certainly can cook the curd that way if you wish.
Do you have a similar recipe for orange curd as well?
I don’t but you could probably just use orange juice instead of lemon in this one.
I’ve been told that for any lemon/orange curd recipe that organic fruit is essential. Non-organic fruit is going to have a heavy wax coating ?
The wax coating isn’t that heavy and can easily be removed by washing the citrus. Some people prefer organic and that’s okay too.
Hi! This recipe is SOOOO easy! I just did it and it turned out amazing! One thing though, mine turned out a bit egg-smelling. My bad cos I didn’t follow the measurements correctly. But do you know what I should have added more?
I honestly don’t know what you should add more of. You said you didn’t’ follow the measurements correctly and I was not there with you to see what ratio of ingredients you used.
Since this is cooked, do you know if it is shelf stable for a few days or does it have to be refrigerated?
I would definitely keep it refrigerated.
So glad I checked in on your site! Great recipe! Thanks! Just what I need to pull me out of this latest bout of fatigue crash! Keep up the good work!
This is basically heaven in a jar!
Hi Jen!
This recipe looks great! I will definitely have to give it a try.
Do you happen to know how long the curd is good for once made?
Hi Sandra! The curd will keep for up to 10 days in the fridge.
Nothing beats homemade lemon curd. This one looks so easy!